'Pitch Across Maryland' Bus Tour Stops at UB Sept. 27

Inspires Student Entrepreneurs to 'Bring Out Their Best' Business Ideas

For the second year in a row, budding entrepreneurs from the University of Baltimore will have a chance to share their ideas and concepts for new businesses with several successful business leaders, when Startup Maryland's "Pitch Across Maryland" bus tour stops for a rally and pitch competition at the UB campus on Friday, Sept. 27. A number of local and regional business and political leaders will be part of the event, which celebrates entrepreneurship and brings focus to Maryland's diverse economic opportunities and business cultures. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on UB's Gordon Plaza, at the northwest corner of Maryland and West Mt. Royal avenues.

The University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is partnering with the Baltimore Development Corporation, the Emerging Technology Centers, the Greater Baltimore Tech Council, and the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore to bring this event to UB. Each of these organizations will identify their top two representatives, who will have the chance to record their pitches in a video studio set up inside the bus when it stops on campus on Sept. 27. Several of the city's business and political leaders from both the private and public sectors will be on hand to network with entrepreneurial students as part of the day's events. The two top winners of UB's Pitch Competition (see below for details) will be the official representatives of the University of Baltimore, and will board the Startup Maryland bus at its Sept. 27 stop to make their pitch.

"For so many of our entrepreneurial students, the Pitch Across Maryland event is the culmination of hours and hours of work as they consider the best way to bring their business ideas to fruition," said Johnetta Hardy, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "They are thrilled, and we're thrilled too, to watch them go through an honest, real-world assessment of their plans, their marketing, their goals and so on. Imagine having an idea that you really believe in, and one fine day you get the chance to bring out your best and share it with a recognized expert. Your passion is going to come through, your hard work has to hold up to the scrutiny. This is why our students are so excited about the competition, and why we expect to see them in big numbers on Sept. 27."

Current UB students who are interested in participating in the pitch competition are encouraged to check out the following:

To participate in the Pitch Competition:

Phase I:

Students interested should submit their business idea in one or two written paragraphs and submit it to CEI@ubalt.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Monday. Sept. 9. Students who have previously participated in UB's Pitch competition are allowed to participate in this competition, but you must submit a different idea.

Guidelines for your written business idea:

Identify the problem your idea is solving.

What is your solution to the problem?

Who is your competition?

What experience do you have if any in solving this problem?

To assist you in writing your winning business idea, the CEI will provide coaching through its Entrepreneur in Residence program. You can request assistance by sending an email to CEI@ubalt.edu or calling 410.837.4892 until Monday, Sept. 9 at noon.

Phase II:

You will be notified by Sept. 16 whether or not you are one of the finalists chosen to make a "live pitch" in front of an audience on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Merrick School of Business's M. Scot Kaufman Auditorium. The first-place winner of UB's Pitch Competition will receive a cash prize of $750. The second-place winner will receive $250. The finalists must receive coaching from the CEI, anytime between Sept.17-24. To schedule an appointment, send an e-mail to CEI@ubalt.edu or call 410.837.4892.

Phase III:

The top two student winners from the Sept. 26 Pitch Competition will go on to represent UB by pitching their idea on Friday, Sept. 27, during the Startup Maryland Bus Stop at UB. All eight finalists are invited to be part of the day's events.

Questions? Send a note to CEI@ubalt.edu or call Johnetta Hardy or Pamela Browne at 410.837.4892.

The finalists have been announced. Find out whoqualified, and what their business pitch is all about.

The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Public Affairs and the Merrick School of Business.